www.star-telegram.com TM Saturday, September 10, 2005 11B COMMENTARY HISTORY LESSON Hear that sound? It’s the echo of Sharpstown I When voters become upset competence of our elected officials? more from greed than incompe- litical war. (One member called “I have to listen to the people that enough, history shows that their History can be a guide. This is tence. Moreover, it took place when Mutscher and his cronies “neo-Hit- sent me here.” elected representatives may pay a not the first time Austin lawmakers Democrats, rather than Republicans, ler and his Nazi pickpockets.”) One more parallel with Sharps- severe price. have let us down on an epic scale. dominated in Austin. Mutscher’s indictment was but one town bears remembering: Although Flash back to 1971. In January of As it turns out, it is not the partic- product of this war; the ultimate Democrats dominated Texas politics We have known for years that an that year, the Securities and Ex- ulars of Sharpstown that provide our outcome would be determined by in 1971, the Dirty Thirty was a coali- antiquated, inadequate and unfair change Commission filed a federal history lesson, it is the political con- the next election. tion that transcended party and tax system was eroding public edu- lawsuit alleging stock fraud against sequences. The following year, the voters political ideology. Its ranks included cation in Texas. But when a state several defendants, including a for- As a politician, Speaker Gus spoke. Loudly. An unprecedented liberals and conservatives, Demo- court confirmed that last November mer state attorney general, a former Mutscher had much in common number of politicians drew primary crats and Republicans, including, a by declaring the state insurance commissioner and a with Tom Craddick. opposition. Many others faced tough young Midland representative current system Houston banker and businessman Mutscher ruled the House with battles in the general election. named Tom Craddick. unconstitutional, named Frank Sharp. an iron fist: No important legislation When the dust settled, more than They were united only by a sense we could no longer Only when the press read the fine passed without his approval. Key half of the members of both houses something was rotten in Austin, and avoid the issue. print of the case did the shocking committees were stacked with his had either been defeated or had the people of Texas deserved better. The result was a political implications emerge. supporters. He even attempted a declined to run for re-election. The voters agreed and, in an unprec- regular session and The suit alleged that Sharp had blatant gerrymander to defeat his It was a political earthquake of edented act of political indepen- three special ses- bribed Gov. Preston Smith, House political opponents. When Sharp’s staggering proportions. Along with dence, ended the careers of those sions in which Speaker Gus Mutscher, state Rep. well-lubricated banking legislation half of the Legislature, the casualties who had violated the public trust. Gregg absolutely nothing Tommy Shannon of Fort Worth, and came before the Legislature in a 1969 included the speaker, lieutenant Next year, Texans will have an Cantrell was accomplished. State Banking Board member (and special session, Mutscher pushed it governor and governor. The next opportunity to send a message to The stunning state Democratic chairman) Elmer quickly through the House. Legislature passed a series of re- elected officials who have turned a failure of the Legis- Baum, to secure passage of legisla- But when the scandal broke in forms, including stricter financial- blind eye to the pressing needs of lature to address the issue has ex- tion favorable to Sharp’s business 1971, a group of legislators calling disclosure laws for elected officials the state. When the time comes, posed lawmakers to a barrage of interests. It became known as the themselves the “Dirty Thirty” re- and lobbyists, and greater access to don’t accept excuses. richly deserved public criticism. Sharpstown Scandal. belled against Mutscher’s “dictatori- governmental records. Don’t vote strictly on party affili- Legislators blame teachers and Mutscher and two others were al” rule. It is still too early to tell if the ation. superintendents. Democrats blame subsequently convicted on bribery At one point they introduced a current Legislature’s bumbling will Don’t listen to demagogic appeals Republicans. The House blames the charges in an Abilene court. Smith resolution (which failed) calling for lead Texas voters to mount a Sharps- based on race or religion. Senate. Speaker Tom Craddick, Lt. was named as an unindicted co- Mutscher and his cronies to resign town-style electoral revolt. Don’t expect benefits that you’re Gov. David Dewhurst and Gov. Rick conspirator. But the shadow of sus- their House leadership positions But there are some signs. not prepared to pay for. Perry blame one another. picion fell on many other lawmakers until the SEC investigation was re- During the last special session, a Study the voting records of your Now it will be left to the state who had ties to Sharp or had sup- solved. Mutscher finally succumbed few brave Republicans challenged elected officials — especially on the Supreme Court to rule on the appeal ported his tainted legislation, in- to pressure to launch a House in- once-untouchable Craddick. Like the issues of education and taxes. of the lower ruling. (Then they can cluding the rising star of Texas poli- vestigation, only to appoint a hand- Dirty Thirty, they realized voters Then, if your public servants all blame it on “activist judges” . tics, Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes. picked committee of his closest back home were getting fed up with aren’t serving you, send them a mes- But I digress.) So, what does this 30-year-old tale allies to conduct the “investigation.” a Legislature that seemed content to sage. As we await that decision, the have to do with the current political But had Mutscher finally over- fiddle while Rome burned. Among Kick the rascals out. public is left with another important breakdown in Austin? played his hand? By the closing days the Republicans who broke with Gregg Cantrell of Fort Worth is a history professor question: How should we, as voters, On the surface, not much. Sharps- of the session, the speaker and the Craddick was House Appropriations at Texas Christian University and a member of the respond to the demonstrated in- town was a criminal affair arising Dirty Thirty had declared open po- Chairman Jim Pitts, who explained, Star-Telegram’s Community Columnist Panel. R.J. MATSON BOB ENGLEHART Bob Englehart is an editorial cartoonist for The Hartford Courant. R.J. Matson is an editorial cartoonist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Cheers: To Herbert D. Ste- be associated with them. phens for being named athletic Dispatcher Akala A. Murray, director of the Fort Worth school Cleburne Police Department district. Herbert D. Standifer, Cheers & Jeers Cheers: To Texans who are Fort Worth helping our neighbors in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Land- Jeers: To Wayne Pricer for his en Voters, the South West Action courtesy to call. They run ads but Bankston Chevrolet. We appreciat- and for providing assistance for lords with empty rent houses, Aug. 27 jeer of the U.S. govern- Team, MPAC and Arlington resi- apparently don’t want to work. ed his bend-over-backward atti- the surgery on our friend Israel please open your hearts to the ment and, indirectly, columnist dents who all came together to Cindy Winters, Granbury tude. He was very informative, Amara. There are still people who homeless. You have more than Bob Ray Sanders. Sanders simply pass a residential tree ordinance. professional and patient. It was a care for the common man. one home; they have none. is exercising his First Amendment This is a huge step forward and Jeers: To the mother pictured pleasure doing business with Alice and Charles Velazquez, Darla Wilson, Fort Worth right in expressing a valid opinion proof that the council listens and on the front of the Aug. 27 Fort Bankston Chevrolet. We’ll be back. Fort Worth that doesn’t agree with Pricer’s. responds to its constituents. Worth section whose infant Royce and Judy Holley, Hurst Cheers: To Larry Mills and That’s not treason but, rather, a President Wayne Halliburton, daughter is shown sitting in a Cheers: To U.S. District Judge SuperSave of River Oaks for let- contribution to a healthy dialogue. Arlington Conservation Council five-gallon bucket of water. Chil- Cheers: To the wonderful Terry Means for sentencing for- ting me collect donations for the Phil Dunlop, Hurst dren have drowned after toppling knight in shining armor who res- mer Fort Worth police officer American Red Cross on Sept. 3-4. Cheers: To the wonderful into these buckets and not being cued this “damsel in distress” Ruben Omar Ruiz to 27 months in Cheers to the angel who brought Cheers: To Wayne Pricer for people at the Aug. 26 Trinity High able to get out. Jeers also to the when my vehicle broke down off federal prison for kicking a man in me cold fruit while I sat outside his exceptionally proper and School football game who came photographer for not understand- Chapman Road. He assessed and the head repeatedly during an taking donations, and special well-placed Aug. 27 jeer about to my aid when I was over- ing that this is more of a danger repaired the problem. He went arrest. He said, in part, that vio- cheers to River Oaks residents for Fort Worth’s finest seditionist, whelmed by the heat during half- than not having air conditioning.